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Perth home owners are being warned about bogus door to door water testers who give the impression that they are from the Government, but are really sellers of water filtration systems. Several reports have been received about the door knockers, some in high-vis vests, who tell householders they are testing water quality in the area…
Read More Don’t be fooled by bogus door to door water testers
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Electronic gadget retailers have dominated the July NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register, with a total of nine electronic companies featuring on the monthly list. Kogan and Samsung took out the top two spots, with 42 and 33 complaints, followed by Harvey Norman with 31. Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the majority of complaints…
Read More Consumer complaints electrify in July
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Consumers International welcomes the G20’s continued recognition of the importance of consumer trust in securing the future growth of the digital economy and their support for developing effective online consumer protection and empowerment with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers including children. The work of the G20 helps to raise awareness of new…
Read More Consumers International response to G20 digital ministers statement
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has approved new rules restricting gambling advertising during live sport streamed online. The Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018 prohibit gambling advertising during live sport that is streamed online between 5.00 am and 8.30 pm. At all other times, gambling advertising is also restricted. The ACMA developed the rules…
Read More New gambling ad rules kick in for online content service providers
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Faulty products continue to cause serious injury and harm to thousands of Australians, with more than 4.5 million items recalled by suppliers in the 2017-18 financial year. New figures show at least 10 people a day are injured and require medical attention as a result of unsafe products, according to mandatory reports provided to the…
Read More Half of all Australian homes affected by unsafe productsThe Consumers Federation of Australia is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified consumer representatives to sit on the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme’s (ATAS) Complaint Appeal Committee (ACAC). The role of the ACAC is to: a) Take all reasonable steps to ensure the resolution of consumer complaints referred to it under the ATAS Charter and…
Read More Consumer Representatives required for the Travel Industry’s Complaint Appeal Committee
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The Federal Government is letting the worst and most harmful financial products in the community run wild, according to consumer advocates. It’s now one year, eight months, one week and fifteen days since the Government accepted recommendations to reform laws governing payday loans and consumer leases. Despite committing to bringing the reforms to Parliament by…
Read More Lobbyists beat the battlers on payday loans and rent-to-buyThe Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will commence on 1 November 2018, providing consumers and small businesses with easy access to a single scheme to resolve complaints about products and services provided by financial firms. AFCA seeks expressions of interest from interested persons for potential appointment to the panels as either a Consumer or Industry…
Read More AFCA Panel Member Expressions of Interest
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Consumers are set to save big on time and money, and have disputes with businesses resolved quicker, thanks to new Fair Trading powers. Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the Fair Trading Legislation Amendment (Consumer Guarantee Directions) Bill, granting the new powers, would be introduced into Parliament this week. “These proposed reforms will give…
Read More Fair Trading reforms set to deliver big benefits for NSW consumers
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The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) wants the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to change its proposed new rule in the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) that will require energy retailers to provide customers with prior notification of price changes for many types of contracts. Although the QCA’s submission to the AEMC supports most of the…
Read More Queensland consumers want changes to proposals for National Energy Consumer Framework
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Grieving families are increasingly being taken advantage of when planning a funeral, with the number of complaints to NSW Fair Trading jumping to record levels. It prompted a warning from Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean, who said consumers should know their rights when choosing a funeral package, to avoid dodgy operators who don’t properly…
Read More Consumer rights extend to the grave
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The ACCC has released comprehensive state-by-state data detailing recall rates for deadly Takata airbags, and the first data detailing progress made by various vehicle manufacturers in removing them from Australian cars. The ACCC says one year since the ACCC started overseeing the Takata airbag recall, 1.8 million potentially deadly airbags still need replacing as part…
Read More Almost two million deadly Takata airbags still in Australian cars